But the first game under new manager Sam Allardyce will have done little to encourage England fans hoping to see a side rejuvenated after a dismal campaign in the Euros in the summer, culminating in a shock defeat to Iceland.

England's fans underwhelmed

England's draw was widely derided on Twitter as England struggled to overcome a Slovakian side that was reduced to 10 men when Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was sent off early in the second half after a second yellow card for stamping on England striker Harry Kane.

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England struggled to break down the Slovakian defense and it wasn't until the 64th minute that any kind of effort hit the target.

The performance also prompted a sarcastic tweet from former England captain and TV sport presenter Gary Lineker who said: "Massive step forward for England. After losing to Iceland we've now beaten a country with 15 times their population. We're back!"

The evening was a struggle for Poland too. It could only draw 2-2 away at Kazakhstan after squandering a two-goal lead. Bartosz Kapustka and Robert Lewandowski put Poland into a comfortable lead at half time but Sergey Khiznichenko scored twice in the second half to level the match.

There were no surprises in the later kick-offs with Germany easily beating Norway 3-0 and Scotland crushing Malta 5-1 with help from a Robert Snodgrass hat-trick.

The Czech Republic held Northern Ireland to a goalless draw, and San Marino -- so often the whipping boys in international matches -- only lost by a single goal to Azerbaijan.

Denmark beat Armenia by a goal to nil and Lithuania drew 2-2 with Slovenia.